Production of artificial filaments, yarns, or threads



Feb. 21, 1933. DREYFUS ET L 1,898,085

PRODUCTION OF ARTIFICIAL FILAMENTS, YARNS, OR THREADS Filed Aug. 30,1929 2 Sheets-Sheet l HENRY DREYFU WILUAM A. DICKiE WILLIAM I TAYLORInventors.

Feb. 21, 1933. H. DREYFUS ET AL 1,898,085

PRODUCTION OF ARTIFICIAL FILAMENTS, YARNS, OR THREADS Filed Aug. 30.1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 11,11,111 n VI'IIIIIIII'IIII'IA I i i i i i RHENRY DREYFUS WILLIAM A. mama wmmm I-TAYLOR Inventors.

Patented Feb. 21, 1933 remit STATES PATENT OFFICE E" "RY DREYF'US, OFLONDON, AND WILLIAM ALEXANDER DICKIE AND WILLIAM IVAN TAYLOR, OFSPONDON, NEAR DERBY, ENGLAND, ASSIGNORS TO CORPORATION OF AMERICA, ACORPORATION OF DELAWARE f A PRODUCTION OF ARTIFICIAL FILAIMZENTS, YARNS,OR THREADS Application filed'August 30, 1929, Serial No. 389,412, and inGreat Britain September 13, 1928.

T his invention relates to artificial filaments, yarns, or threads, andto their production by the extrusion of spinning solutions through jets,nozzles, or other spinning orifices.

According to the invention, filaments or threads of artificial silk orthe like are given a regular or systematic irregularity in denler bydrawing them at varying linear speeds in the course of their productionso as to stretch them at any desired intervals. The varying stretchimparted to the filaments or threads results in a correspondinglyvarying denler, the variations occurring at any desired intervals and toany desired degree, while extending any desired amount along the lengthof the filaments or threads (hereafter referred to as filaments).

. Numerous methods may be employed for stretching or drawing or variablystretching or drawing the filaments to impart the desired alternating orperiodically recurring irregularities. For instance, the filaments maybe caused to pass to a roller of circular cross-section whose speed,which may normally be the same or greater than the speed of extrusion ofthe filaments, is varied at intervals and to amounts and for periodscorresponding to the frequency and degree and length of thepredetermined irregularity required to be imparted to the filaments.

According to a further method of imparting the stretch, the filamentsmay be caused to pass round a roller or the like so mounted and/or ofsuch cross-section as to vary the linearspeed of the filaments. Forexample, rollers of elliptical or other non-circular cross-section maybe employed, or rollers of circular or other cross-section may beeccentrically mounted. Further, such rollers may be arranged to rotateat a constant speed, or by varying their speed of rotation, furtherirregularities may be imparted to the filaments over and above thoseimpart-ed owing to the form or mounting of the roller.

A roller of irregular cross-section for use according to the inventionmay be constituted by a pair of flanges each having a number of radialor other slots adapted to receive bars which extend between the flanges,ad-

justment of the bars along the length of the slots or removal of some ofthe bars enabling a variety of cross-sections to be obtained.

Moreover, a roller having any of the forms described above, and rotatingwith either constant or varying peripheral speeds, may be caused to movebodily e. g. to and fro, while rotating, either continuously orintermittently, the movement causing the filaments to be stretchedirregularly and thus to 1receive a reduced denier at desired interva s.

A still further method of carrying out the invention consists in leadingthe filaments over or round a rotating roller or drum whose diametervaries along its length, the filaments being engaged at successive partsof their length by parts of the roller or drum of different diameters.As the linear speed imparted to the filaments varies in accordance withthe diameter of the drawing roller or drum, the length of the filamentsbetween the spinning orifices and the roller or drum is stretched tovarying" extents, with the production of corresponding variations indenier.

The filaments may be caused to be engaged by the different diameters bytraversing the filaments along the roller or drum or by traversing thedrum itself, as by moving a guide for the filaments or mounting the drumon an axially slidable shaft. Any predetermined frequency of variationmay be obtained by adjusting the rate of traverse of the filamentsrelative to the roller or drum, and, of course, by varying the length ofthe traverse, the effect of the roller or drum on the filaments may bemodified.

The roller or drum may have any suitable form, depending on the natureof the variations to be produced, for instance, it may be arranged as atruncated cone by means of which a maximum variation in denier may beobtained corresponding to the difference between the diameters of thetwo ends of the cone. The roller or drum may, moreover, have anon-circular cross-section and be driven at varying speeds.

The filaments may be wound, or twisted and wound, after passing roundthe stretching roller or the like, or they may be collected on theroller or the like itself.

Yet a further method consists in drawing the filaments at varying linearspeeds by eriodically lengthening the path followed y the filaments to awinding or twisting and winding device, the lengthening being efi'ectedby one or more bars or rollers (driven or idle) which are moved acrossthe path of the filaments at a frequency and to an extent adjusted inaccordance with the variations in denier to be imparted. For instance,the filaments may pass over and under a pair of bars or rollers arrangedfor oscillation across the direction of feed of the filaments.

Any suitable means may be employed for controlling the speed ofoperation of the stretching devices, and the devices may be arranged togive a gradual or more or less abrupt change from one denier to another,as desired. The driving of the devices may be by means of electricmotors whose speed is controlled in accordance with the variations indenier required. Further,elliptical or other irregular gears may beemployed for driving the elements of the stretching devices.

All the jets or nozzles whether in a single metier or machine or in aseries of such which are required to produce the same quality offilament have associated therewith devices which are driven orcontrolled in such a manner as to exert the same stretching action onall the filaments extruded from the jets or nozzles.

The variations in denier produced according to the invention may appearat' regular short or regular long intervals of length or at regularlyvarying intervals, and variations of different degree or extent, orboth, may appear at any desired intervals. Or one or more groups ofirregularities may appear in regular sequence or in any desired order orat any desired intervals. Thus, for example, one or more shortvariations may alternate with one or more longer variations, or groupsof short and long variations may alternate with short or long variationsor with other groups of short and long variations, always with theobject of producing a regular or systematic effect from the alternatingor periodically recurring irregularities of denier of the filaments,yarns,orthreads. Orperiodiealirregularities forming groups of, forexample, 2, 3, 4, 6 or 10 or more variations may occur on the filaments,yarns, or threads, the groups alternating with each other or appearingin any desired order according to the effect to be produced.

It will be understood that where yarn or thread is formed by theassociation of a number of filaments all of which have a regularirregularity in denier which is the same for all the filaments, thevariations in the in-- dividual filaments may be arranged to produce bya cumulative effect a similar regular irregularity in the denier of theyarn or thread formed therefrom.

The yarns or threads which have received the regular irregularities asabove described may be wound or twisted and wound for example, by meansof cap-spinning devlces, or centrifugal boxes.

The filaments of varying denier may be formed into yarns, either aloneor twisted or doubled with threads of other natural or artificialfilaments or fibres. Or they may be cut or reduced to staple lengths,either continuously with their production or subsequently thereto, andspun into yarns, either alone or mixed or blended with other natural orartificial filaments or fibres, and such spun yarns may, if desired, betwisted or doubled with the same or other yarns to form any desired typeof thread.

Yarns or threads with irregular denier according to the invention imparta novel effect to fabrics or articles wholly or partly formed from them,by reason of the differential effect produced by the variations, andthis efi'ect may, moreover, be enhanced when the fabrics or articles aredyed, printed, or otherwise coloured, because of the regularirregularity of denier of the yarns or threads causing differentpenetration of the dyestufi or other colouring matter to be efi'ected, agreat variety of colour efi'ects thereby being produced.

The, yarns or threads of varying denier may be applied to the productionof fabrics or articles, either alone or in association with yarns orthreads of regular artificial silk or of other natural or artificialfilaments or fibres, and may be utilized to give any desired design orpattern. They may be used, for example, in the warp and /or weft inweaving operations; in knitting operations, for 'example in theproduction of warp-knitted fabrics; in circular hosiery or otherknitting machines; in braiding or cording operations; in net orlace-making operations; or in any other fabric-forming or textileoperations.

While the invention applies particularly to filaments or threads ofvarying or irregular denier, produced by the dry or evaporative method,and especially filaments or threads having as a base cellulose acetateor other cellulose derivatives. such as cellulose formate, propionate,or butyrate, thiocarbamic or alkoxy-alkacyl esters of cellulose, methyl,ethyl or benzyl cellulose, or the condensation products of cellulose andglycols or other polyhydric alcohols, it applies likewise to filamentsor threads of varying or irregular denier produced by the wet orcoagulation method, whether having a base of cellulose acetate or otherorganic derivatives of cellulose, or composed of a reconstitutedcellulose. such as viscose, cuprammonium, or nitrocellulose silk.

Various forms of apparatus which may be employed in carrying theinvention into effeet are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, itbeing understood that the following description is given by way ofexample only and is in no way limitative.

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of one form of apparatus;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of a further form of apparatus;

Fig. 3 shows examples of stretching rollers which may be employed;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of an apparatus in which filaments aretraversed along the length of a stretching roller;

Fig. 5 is a side-elevation of a detail of a further form of apparatus;

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of another form of apparatus;

Fig. 7 is a plan view of Fig. 6; and

Figs. 8. 9, and 10 are views of a further form of device, Fig. 8 beingan elevation of Fig. 9, and Fig. 10 a sectional view taken on the line1010 of Fig. 9, and illustrating a modified arrangement.

Referring to Fig. 1, the filaments 5 are shown emerging from a spinningcell 6, the filaments being caused to pass round a roller 7 ofelliptical section mounted for rotation on a shaft 8. On leaving theroller 7, the filaments pass to a thread guide 9 and to a capspinningdevice 10. It will be seen that as the filaments are engaged by theroller 7 in the position shown in full lines, the filaments will bedrawn from the .cell 6 at a speed equal to the peripheral speed of theroller at the ends of its major axis, this speed being greater than thespeed of extrusion of the filaments.

As the roller moves to the position shown in broken lines, the filamentsare drawn from the cell at a speed corresponding to the peripheral speedof the roller at the ends of its minor axis. The filaments are thusstretched to different extents depending on the part of the roller withwhich they are engaged, the stretch varying from a maximum when theengagement is at the end of the major axis to a minimum at the end ofthe minor axis. At each revolution of the roller of ellipticalcross-section, two variations in the amount of stretch, and, therefore,in the denier of the filaments, are imparted to the length of filamentsdrawn from the cell during the revolution. By employing rollers of othercrosssection, different numbers of variations of stretch at eachrevolution may be obtained.

In Fig. 2. the filaments 5 on leaving the cell 6 are caused to passround a roller 11 mounted on a shaft 12 carried by the upper end of anarm 13. the lower end of the arm being pivoted about a shaft 14. Pivotedat 15 on the arm 13 is an eccentric rod 16 driven bv means of aneccentric 17 the arrangement being such that the arm 13 and the roller11 are caused to oscillate about the shaft 14 to an extent and at a ratedependent on the throw of the eccentric 17 and the speed at which theeccentric is driven. The roller 11 is rotated by means of a pulley 18connected by a belt 19 to a pulley 20 freely mounted on the shaft 14.The pulley 20 is in turn driven by a belt 21. The roller 11 by itsrotation, draws the filaments 5 from the cell 6 and variations in thelength thus drawn are effected by the oscillatory motion of the roller.By varying the rate at which the eccentric 17 is driven with respect tothe peripheral speed of the roller 11, e. g. by the use of ellipticalgears, varying amounts of stretch and consequent variations in thedenier of the filaments may be effected.

If desired, the variable stretch imparted to the filaments may beconfined to a particular length of the filaments being produced, such anarrangement being shown in Fig. 2. At some distance from the spinningjet 22 a roller 23 is arranged. The filaments are caused to pass roundthe roller 23 which is driven at a rate equal to or exceeding the rateof extrusion of the filaments, so that the stretch imparted according tothe invention is confined to the length of filaments between the roller23 and the stretching apparatus, the length 24 of the filaments betweenthe jet 22 and the roller 23 being free from such stretching.

Fig. 3 illustrates at (a) a stretching roller of roughly squarecross-section but having rounded corners, and at b) an approximatelytriangular section roller. A roller of circular cross-section butmounted eccentrically for rotation is shown at (c) Fig. 3, and at (d) aroller of similar cross-section to (b) is shown also mountedeccentrically. It will be seen that by the employment of rollers of suchcross-section, many variations in the amount and frequency of thevariation in denier may be imparted. Moreover, by using such rollers inconjunction with apparatus such as that illustrated in Fig. 2, thevariations may be produced in groups on the filaments, the recurrence ofthe groups to form a pattern depending on the form of the roller and themanner in which it is driven or moved. 7

In Fig. 4, the filaments 5 are shown passing round a conical roller 25mounted on a shaft 26. A thread guide 27 is carried by a longitudinallymovable bar 28, the bar being given a to and fro motion in any suitableway, e. g. by means of a cam, or by a crank disc 29. a pin 30 of whichworks in a fork 31 carried by the bar 28. The filaments are caused toengage parts of the roller 25 which move at different peripheral speeds,and the consequent variations of stretch imparted to the filamentsresult in corresponding variations in denier. The roller 25, which maybe driven at a varying speed, may have an ir-- regular cross-sectionsuch as is indicated at (a) and (b) of Fig. 3, or it may beeccentrically mounted as shown at ('0) and (d) of Fig. 3.

The employment of irregular gearing for driving a stretching roller isillustrated in Fig. 5, elliptical gears 31 being shown in connectionwith a roller 32 of circular crosssection, though other cross-sections,such as those shown in Fig. 3, may be employed. This form of drivecauses the roller to rotate with an irregularly peripheral speed duringeach revolution, thus producing a variation in the denier of thefilaments 5.

In Fig. 6, filaments 33 on withdrawal from the spinning cell 34 are ledto a device comprising an arm 35 mounted for oscillation on a shaft 36.Bars 37 project from the arm 35 in a direction parallel to the shaft 36,a bar 37 being arranged on each side of the shaft. An eccentric 38driven in any suitable manner is connected by an eccentric rod 39 to anarm 40 fixed to the shaft 36. The arm 35 is thus caused to perform anoscillatory motion with an ampliture governed by the throw of theeccentric 38 and the position of the connection 41 between the eccentricrod 39 and the arm 40, a series of holes 42 being provided on the arm 40to permit of the connection being adjusted. The bars 37 are preferablyadjustably mounted on the arm 35, a series of holes 43 being provided oneach half of the arm. On leaving this device the filaments 33 passround. a feed roller 44 and are collected in any suitable manner. ItWlll be seen that as the filaments pass first over one bar 37 and thenunder the other before reaching the roller 44, the oscillation of thearm 35 causes a variable pull to be imparted to the filaments which arethereby stretched to a varying extent, with the consequence that theyreceive variations in denier along their length. Instead of the arms 35and 40 being secured to the shaft 36. they may be arranged to oscillatefreelv thereon, the arm 40 being connected directly to the arm 35 to1mpart its movement thereto.

The device shown in Figs. 8-10 1s adapted to receive the filamentseither in a manner similar to that of the roller 7 shown in Fig. 1 whilethe filaments are on their way to a winding device, or alternatively,the device itself may serve as a winding device. Two flanges 45 areconnected by a hub 46 which is mounted on a shaft 47. Slots 48 areformed in each flange, and they are arranged to receive bars 49 whichextend from one flange to the other and may be secured in any desiredposition in the slots 48 by means of nuts 50. The rods constitute aroller-like surface, the periphery of the roller depending on thepositions of the rods in the slots. Thus, Fig. 8 shows four of the rodsarranged to form a square 51, the remaining rods being held out ofposition near the hub. Fig. 10 shows two diametrically opposed rodsmounted in the slots, all the remaining rods being removed.

As shown in Fig. 8, the device may operate as a roller of non-circularperiphery which, by reason of the varying peripheral speed of theroller, imparts a variable denier to the filaments passing over theroller to a winding device. Instead, however, of the filamentsproceeding to a further winding device, they may be collected on thebars in the form of a hank, and in Fig. 10 a hank 52 is shown in thecourse of formation on the single pair of rods 49.

By means of devices such as those above described, the irregularity ofdenier may be caused to appear in a great variety of arrangements on thefilaments, varying from a simple alteration in denier occurring atregular intervals of any extent along the length of the filaments to agrouping of alterations in denler occurring at regular or irregularintervals.

It will be understood that any desired number of devices may be arrangedfor multaneous operation on the filaments or threads produced by aplurality of jets or nozzles in a single metier or machine, commonactuation being provided for such parts as the oscillating rollers 11shown in Fig. 2, the traversing guides 27 shown in Fig. 4 used for theseveral filaments or threads, or the oscillating arms 35 shown in Fig.6. Thus. the shaft 12 may extend across the length of the metier ormachine occupied by several Jets or nozzles, a single eccentric 17 orthe like, or a pair of such, being employed to oscillate the shaft.Similarly, the bar 28 may extend over the length of the metier ormachine and carry a suitable number of guides 27 for operation with therollers 25, which are preferably mounted on a common shaft 26. Likewise,any desired number of eccentrics 38 may be carried by the shaft 53.

The foregoing apparatus may be applied to the treatment of artificialfilaments produced by the dry or evaporative method, as 1s lndlcated inFigs. 1, 2, and 6, or by the wet or coagulation method. It is to beunderstood that the expression artificial filaments used hereafter inthe claims. includes yarns or threads consisting of artificial filamentsas well as the filaments themselves.

What we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. Process forthe production of artificial filaments, said process comprising drawingthe filaments at varying linear speeds in the course of theirproduction, thereby imparting a systematic variation in denier to thefilaments.

2. Process for the production of artificial filaments from solutions oforganic derivatives of cellulose, said process comprising drawing thefilaments at varying linear speeds in the course of their production,

thereby imparting a systematic variation in denier to the filaments.

3. Process for the production of artificial filaments from solutions ofcellulose acetate, said process comprising drawing the filaments atvarying linear speeds in the course of their production, therebyimpartin a systematic variation in denier to the laments.

4. Process for the production of artificial filaments, comprisingextruding the filaments by the dr or evaporative method, and drawing thelaments at varying linear speeds in the course of their production,thereby imparting systematic variation in denier to the filaments.

5. Process for the production of artificial filaments from solutionscontaining cellulose acetate, said process comprising extruding thefilaments by the dry or evaporative method and drawing the filaments atvarying linear speeds in the course of their production, therebyimplarting a systematic variation in denier to t e filaments.

6. Apparatus for the production of artificial filaments comprising afilament-engaging member, and means for actuating said member in such amanner that its motion in engagement with the filaments causes thefilaments to be drawn at systematically varying linear speeds, wherebycorresponding systematic variations in denier are imparted to thefilaments.

7 Apparatus for the production of artificial filaments com rising arotating member round which the fi aments are caused to pass, and meansfor causing the said member to rotate with a varying peripheral speed,whereby a systematic variation in denier is imparted to the filaments.

8. Apparatus for the production of artificial filaments comprising acollecting device adapted to collect the filaments continuously withtheir production, a rotating member round which the filaments are causedto pass on their way to the collecting device, and means for causing thesaid member to rotate with a varying peripheral speed, whereby asystematic variation in denier is imparted to the filaments.

9. Apparatus for the production of artificial filaments, comprising arotating member round which the filaments are caused to pass, the saidmember being so mounted for rotation and having such cross-section thatthe peripheral speed of its point of engagement,

of the filaments is caused tov vary, whereby a systematic variation indenier is imparted to the filaments.

10. Apparatus for the production of artificial filaments comprising arotating member round which the filaments are caused to pass, and meansfor rotating the said member with a varying angular speed, whereby asystemleast one bar adapted to contact with the atic variation in denieris imparted to the fila ments.

11. Apparatus for the production of artificial filaments comprising acollecting device ada ted to collect the filaments continuously withtheir production, and a rotatin member round which the filaments arecause to pass on their way to the collectin the said member being somounted %or rotation and havin such cross-section that the peripheralspec of its point of enga ement with the filaments is caused to vary, wereby a systematic variation in denier is imparted to the filaments.

12. Apparatus for the production of artificial filaments, comprising acollecting device adapted to collect the filaments continuously withtheir production, a rotating member round which the filaments are causedto pass on their way to the collecting device, and means for rotatingthe said member with a varying angular speed, whereby a systematicvariation in denier is imparted to the filaments.

13. Apparatus for the production of artificial filaments, comprising arotating member round which the filaments are caused to ass, thediameter of'said member varyin a ong its length, and means for causing te filaments to be engaged by successive arts of difierent diametersalong the lengt of the said member, whereby a systematic variation indenier is imparted to the filaments.

14. Apparatus for the production of artificial filaments, comprising acollecting device adapted to collect the filaments continuously withtheir production, a rotating member round which the filaments are causedto pass on their way to the collecting device, the diameter of saidmember varyin along its length, and means for causing t e filaments tobe e aged by successive parts having difierent iameters along the lengthof the said member, whereby a systematic variation in denier is impartedto the filaments.

15. Apparatus for the production of artificial filaments, said apparatuscomprisin a collector device adapted to collect the h lamentscontinuously with their productiorglat aments and means forreciprocating said bar periodically across the path of the filaments tothe collector device, whereby a systematic variation in denier isimparted to the filaments.

In testimony whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names.

HENRY DREYFUS. WILLIAM ALEXANDER DICKIE.

WILLIAM IVAN TAYLOR.

device,

VII 10

